Although it had been built in a very short period, between 1978 and 1981, their rivalry would remain famous in the game of tennis, thanks to its intensity, combined with their different game style and character. Increasing his level, particularly on his serve where, after being down 0-30 in the first game, he won 19 points in a row, completing close to 80% of first serves. I was aware of their exploits, of their famous matches and even of their diametrically opposed styles on court, but awareness was all it amounted to.I figured that I knew what I needed to know about them and the 1980 final but 18 points into their legendary 22 minute fourth-set tiebreak, won 18-16 by McEnroe to draw himself level with Borg at two sets apiece, I realised my previous appreciation for the match had come up woefully short.What became apparent at that most dramatic of moments was a sudden realisation that at no point in the previous two hours and 52 minutes had I even considered the action anything other than utterly compelling, fiercely competitive and, while undeniably less brutish than the modern power game, exquisitely skillful. It was the third time, after 1978 and 1979, that he achieved the feat of triumphing the same year at both the French Open and Wimbledon, only a few weeks apart, on such different surfaces.That year, John McEnroe would take his revenge against Bjorn Borg in the US Open final, where he would prevail in five sets (7-6 6-1 6-7 5-7 6-4).In 1981, Borg would claim his last Grand Slam title with a sixth Roland-Garros crown, beating Ivan Lendl in the final (6-1 4-6 6-2 3-6 6-1). When the four-time champion served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set, it looked like McEnroe’s fate was sealed already. Search I experienced sweating palms, an elevated heart rate and audible cries of amazement as I sat alone in my house on what was ironically one of this summer's wettest days so far.Throughout, I found myself drawn to both. He had already managed to beat Borg three times in six encounters, and his aggressive game was made for grass.In the first set, Borg was maybe surprised by McEnroe’s confidence.
ATP Platinum Partners On the other hand, John McEnroe had become, in 1979, the youngest ever US Open champion. His last remarkable result before he retired from professional tennis would be reaching the 1992 Wimbledon semi-final (lost to Andre Agassi, 6-4 6-2 6-3). 1984 would be his peak year. Any and all who were lucky enough to watch the encounter live will swear the match was and continues to be the greatest that tennis has ever seen. Although McEnroe won the legendary tiebreak, it was Borg who prevailed in the end (1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 8-6), after three hours and 53 minutes of play, to claim the last of his five consecutive Wimbledon titles.Since the start of his career, only one player had managed to defeat Borg in Paris : Adriano Panatta, from Italy, who beat him in 1973 and 1976. Scores Eventually, after 3 hours and 53 minutes of play, a last backhand passing shot from the Swede put an end to the most amazing final ever seen at Wimbledon.Borg, who was already the first player to win the tournament four times in a row, had now triumphed five times consecutively. The American outsped the Swede and quickly took the first set, 6-1. Being 27, I was one with the misfortune of never having seen it. If you gave this one a five-star review, you'd be doing it a serious disservice.I was having reactions akin to those that come with the most dramatic live sport. As a millennial myself, I humbly present this Borg-McEnroe final as an example proving this to be a falsehood. Held by the All England Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club since 1877, it moved into its current location in 1922, the same year when the Centre Court was built. Very few sports venues can lay claim to matching it during moments of pure sporting theatre, silence followed by eruptions of noise. The highlight of this final was the fourth set tiebreak, considered as the greatest tiebreak ever played, which McEnroe won 18-16. Brilliance of 1980 Wimbledon final holds its own against more recent epic championship matches at SW19My own fandom has involved as much a fascination with tennis history as it has with what is happening in the present.

The tennis players Björn Borg and John McEnroemet 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total, with their on-court rivalry highlighted by their contrasting temperaments and styles.